We are looking for a western ranch experience in New England...anyone know of one or had this experience? We found Chebacco Dude Ranch in Effingham NH but can't really tell what this experience will actually be like...We are bringing along two boys, 7 and 10 and this is their vacation request DUDE RANCH! We live in Massachusetts. Thanks

Wouldn't New England dude ranch be an oxymoron? Why not come out west where you'll have any number of choices.

echoing beachbum, i've never heard of such a thing.

Don't know any specifics - but here's a list of dude ranches allacross the US and Candada - including New York - if that's of any help.

I know someone who did this in NY - but about 10 years ago - and there was riding - and it was Western - not English - but that's all I know.

I first read this earlier today and it made me laugh! Hours later, it is still striking my funnybone. "Yeah kids, we'll go to a REAL DUDE RANCH (if we can find one within a few hours drive!)" Try Utah, Wyoming, Arizona or California but don't try to fake them out and let them think that they're getting a real western cowboy riding experience in NH. I'm still wondering how that could even seem like a plausible idea or conversation.

THanks everyone...of course out west is real, but the budget it not available. So....its an actual ne vacation after all....glad you enjoyed the post!

It's this kind of thing: A hip guy walks up to a New Englander and asks, "Hey, Dude, any ranches around here?" The New Englander answers, "Soitonly. My neighbor owns hawf an acre just around the coive in the road."

Don't look for a "Dude" ranch in New England.

Look for a place that offers western trail rides instead.

There should be several and they will have everything but the cows- the boys will not be able to tell the difference if you give them horses to ride, chaps and a hat.

BTW- back in the day a "dude" was a gay cowboy

Hey, Wayne, how come you "New Englander" sounds like a Brooklynite, or maybe one of the Three Stooges?

I had to read the title twice, just to be sure my eyes were not deceiving me.

Sorry, even if you could find a "ranch" in New England, you'd be riding *husses* not horses.

I live in NE so I'm entitled to joke about our accent ;-)

Maybe you could convince the boys to try a hiking or boating vacation. Acadia National Park would provide some wonderful options.

Marion

Marion

While not in New England and possibly not what you are looking for but it might be worth checking out

http://www.rhranch.com/home.htm

My SIL took her kids here last year (12 + 14) and they loved it. It's upstate NY.

You might want to check out the Rocking Horse Ranch, in Highland, NY, near New Paltz (not New England, but close). I've never been there, but it looks like a great place for a family vacation. Here's an overview:

http://www.gordonsguide.com/dude-ran...anch/index.cfm

Also, here's their web site:

http://www.rhranch.com/home.htm

I hope this helps.

Great minds Sara

Not as close as New England, but not as far as out west:

http://www.smokeriseranch.com

in Southern Ohio. I've never been, but I used to live in Ohio and I recall this place being written up numerous times....southern Ohio is actually rather hilly & pretty. I'm guessing it would be about a day's drive for you to get there....

We just returned from a dude ranch in CO. There is a website which was very helpful in helping me to select one; although, I had so many choices I had to graph them all. Try www.ranchweb.com and look to see what is in the area, price range, etc. Good luck and enjoy!

Hey folks. Dude ranches are all fake anyway so what difference does it make where they are. Its like some people who I have met who say they live on or grew up on a Farm. Ya, Hobby Farm with a few chickens and a goat in the Tuff shed in the back yard!